agricultural education

A study conducted by the National FFA Organization in March through May of 2019 provided feedback from 708 agriculture teachers and FFA advisors from the eastern, southern, central and western FFA regions about their needs as agriculture educators, educational resources and experiences offered by FFA, their relationship with FFA and a variety of other topics. This document outlines some key findings from that study. Alternatively Certified Teachers Alternatively certified teachers are those who have been awarded a teaching license even though they have not completed a traditional teacher certification program. In all subject areas in every state in the U.S., individuals who choose to become a certified teacher through alternate means help to fill open positions that exist due to problems facing teaching nationwide, especially teacher recruitment and retention.1 Agricultural education, specifically, has historically faced challenges in teacher recruitment and retention.2 The Advisor Needs Assessment revealed that 18% of agriculture teachers surveyed are alternatively certified. Those who reported being alternatively certified stated that their biggest challenges include navigating FFA, developing classroom management, running and starting an [...]

In spring 2024, the National FFA Organization surveyed a national sample of 218 FFA advisors and agriculture teachers of fifth- to eighth-grade agriculture programs. Questions on the survey inquired about how their program operates, student engagement, general support, barriers, challenges, and the resources educators use and are looking for. The following summary highlights some key results. The survey received a national sample The survey intentionally sought responses from teachers across the nation. The highest number of survey responses came from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. When asked to indicate approximately how many students are in their fifth- to eighth-grade agriculture programs, respondents reported an average of 234 students. Responses reflected a wide range, from six to 900 students. The structure of middle school (grades 5-8) agriculture programs varies nationwide Almost 90% of respondents (N=182) reported that their agriculture class is offered as an elective, while 13% said it is a required course. Nine in 10 respondents reported that their agriculture program uses the three-component model.1 Nine percent reported that their chapter operates differently from [...]

FFA advisors and members across the country rely on FFA Alumni and Supporters to help support their chapters through the gifts of time, talent, and resources. How did FFA Alumni and Supporters’ experiences in FFA make them want to give back to the organization? The following findings are from a survey conducted in Spring 2023 through the Forever Blue Network. Alumni and Supporters attribute skills learned in FFA to their career success. The top five skills extremely influenced by alums’ FFA experiences were: Developing leadership skills, 63% Public speaking, 59% Building relationships, 53% Social skills, 49% Career preparation, 43% Did you know? 93% of surveyed FFA Alumni and Supporters report that FFA positively affected their career. 84% have worked in agriculture. Nearly 60% of those surveyed reported they are currently in a senior-level position or higher at work.1 What FFA Alumni and Supporters Say About FFA… “FFA has been the sole powerhouse behind my lifelong commitment to personal and professional growth and has granted me a life full of happiness and love I would have never [...]

Keeping agriculture educators at the frontline of innovation in today’s classrooms In order to stay up-to-date with today’s teachers, National FFA seeks feedback from agriculture educators in two main ways: consulting with the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA and conducting a formal advisor needs assessment survey every two years. Growing professionally as National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA present educational sessions on FFA educator resources and are overall representatives of the National FFA Organization. We asked 54 National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA (serving 2020-21) how the ambassador program enhanced their ability to grow professionally. Ambassadors told us that gaining knowledge on FFA resources most enhanced their ability to grow professionally. Gaining knowledge on FFA resources – 98% Networking/meeting other agriculture teachers – 90% Becoming a resource for other teachers/serving teachers – 90% Connecting with National FFA staff – 87% For the second year in a row, the majority of 2020-21 ambassadors (89%) said that providing information and resources to other teachers was their greatest impact of their role. National Teacher Ambassadors for [...]

Motivation and active engagement remain relevant topics when studying FFA members and FFA advisors, especially since COVID-19. This report includes results from 419 FFA members we surveyed in early 2024. It specifically highlights survey questions centered around motivation and active engagement. Findings reveal that FFA members and agriculture teachers/FFA advisors seem to be out of sync when it comes to the perception of student motivation levels. Agriculture educators should take members’ feedback found throughout this report and use it to help bridge the gap in perceived motivation and engagement levels between FFA members and agriculture teachers/FFA advisors. Lasting impact? The perceived effect of COVID-19 on members’ motivation levels varies. 1 in 3 FFA advisors (N=2,002) identified lack of student motivation as their biggest challenge in a 2023 survey.1 Over half of the FFA members surveyed in 2024 (59%, N=246) said that COVID-19 had no effect on their motivation to do well in school. Be an active participant: FFA members report high levels of motivation and active engagement in their FFA chapters. A series of validated scales [...]

Professional Development in Agricultural Education Nearly one in four respondents (22%) to the 2023 FFA Advisor Needs Assessment somewhat or strongly disagreed with the statement, “I have access to a variety of valuable professional development opportunities.” Almost half (47%) of respondents to the 2023 FFA Advisor Needs Assessment said budget/cost constraints have a great deal of influence on their decision to participate in professional development opportunities. 25 school-based agriculture educators received a Teacher Professional Development Grant from National FFA in 2023. 22 recipients are licensed educators, while one recipient is alternatively certified and two are special grant/permission or emergency certified educators. The 2023 recipients of the Teacher Professional Development Grants serve students in grades 6-12. The 2023 recipients of the Teacher Professional Development Grants serve student populations from 180 students to 2,012 students. The 2023 recipients of the Teacher Professional Development Grants serve 42 to 355 agricultural education students. From my experience, I now make a more concentrated effort to give my ELL students better-translated materials whenever possible. I also try my best to use phrases [...]

13 school-based agriculture educators received a classroom enhancement grant in 2023. These recipients had between one and three full-time agriculture teachers in their agriculture programs and serve students in grades 7-12, with an average of 164 agricultural education students each. Chapter Demographics When asked about their chapter, 2023 grant recipients reported the following student demographics: 31% of their students are economically disadvantaged. 13% of their students have disabilities/IEPs. 9% of their students are racial or ethnic minorities. 1.5% of their students are English Language Learners. How Grant Funds Were Used Grant recipients applied their funds to these classroom enhancements: Purchasing equipment Upgrading equipment Purchasing curriculum “My students learn best with hands-on instruction, but my shop and classroom are very sparsely equipped so I have to do more online curriculum. This makes it harder for [students who are English Language Learners] to understand.” 2023 FFA Advisor Needs Assessment

What Is FFA? FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and heritage that will never change. Today, FFA members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. What Is National FFA Week? Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members. The week features designated days celebrating agriculture and FFA, including National Days of Service, Ag Teacher Appreciation Day and National Wear Blue Day. The first National FFA Week took place in 1948 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration from Saturday to Sunday. The week always encompasses George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22) in recognition of his legacy as an [...]

The National FFA Organization conducts a biannual survey of agriculture educators/FFA advisors. The purpose of the survey is to obtain a national representation of educators to participate and provide insight into what National FFA resources teachers are using in their classrooms and local chapters as well as what future resources they need. This document shares findings directly from agriculture teachers from 2023. In spring 2023, the National FFA Organization distributed an online survey to all 14,158 FFA advisors in the national membership roster. The survey received 2,480 (partial or complete) responses, yielding an 18% overall response rate. 2023 Advisor Needs Assessment Findings Top Three Areas of Need for Resources Identified by Agriculture Educators Developing SAE opportunities for students (N=1,332) Filling out award applications (N=1,167) Filling out FFA grants (N=1,119) Top Five Pathway Educational Resources Requested by Agriculture Educators Animal Systems Plant Systems Agriculture Technology Power, Structural and Technical Systems Agribusiness FFA Advisors’ Greatest Challenges and Barriers Respondents were asked what their biggest challenge has been trying to navigate their classrooms within the last two years. Thirty-four [...]

This report includes results from a group of FFA members surveyed in early 2024. It focuses on supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) and members’ reported career plans. SAEs allow students to apply agricultural skills and knowledge taught in the classroom to real-world experiences. SAEs Lay the Foundation for Future Career Success FFA members’ involvement with SAEs lays the foundation for future career success. Among surveyed members, 68% (N=283) told us that they have an SAE. This also aligns with nationwide labor trends, as 37% of 16-19-year-olds are employed or seeking employment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 After-High-School Plans and Career Ambitions After-high-school plans and career ambitions vary for members with SAEs. Of the 283 members who told us they have an SAE: 44% say they plan to pursue a career or college/vocational program in the same study area as their SAE. 2 in 3 say they plan to attend a four-year university, while 16% say they plan to attend a two-year college/technical program. 30% say the Animal Systems Career Pathway best describes their career [...]

The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experience in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex agriculture, food, and natural resources problems. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. Number of Participants Continues to Grow Participation in the Agriscience Fair has grown steadily over time — except for the 2020 virtual event. 2016—593 participants 2017—724 participants 2018—759 participants 2019—778 participants 2020—637 participants (virtual) It pays to compete. $121,500 in total cash payouts was awarded to 162 winners recognized at the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo. Outcomes for FFA Members We asked FFA members who competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair in 2020 about their experience. After participating, at least 85% of FFA members1 told us that they… now have a better understanding of the scientific method have learned something about agriculture that they did not know prior to their project are more interested in studying in a scientific field [...]

Program Overview: Description and Objectives The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA are a group of agriculture educators currently in the classroom. They are trained to answer questions and provide training related to the various educational resources and experiences the National FFA Organization offers. A group of qualified teachers is selected each Spring to serve in the program from June to June. Additionally, to continue professional development, the program has grown to include mentor National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA. Through this added layer, support and professional development can be amplified to meet the needs of the program. “This role has transformed my outlook—turning feelings of burnout into renewed motivation through a supportive and collaborative network committed to agricultural education.” Emma Hendley, North Carolina Four Primary Objectives Guide the Program Answer questions from agriculture educators and provide them with training and regular communications related to the various educational resources and experiences National FFA offers. Provide relevant feedback from the educational field to National FFA. Serve as an advocate of the organization to teachers within home states and others [...]